Each year, with the support of Liverpool One, Batala Mersey performs in Liverpool city centre in the run up to Christmas, to raise funds for charities dear to our hearts.
It's no easy feat choosing, so we ask our members to nominate a charity that they would like to help, then we put it to a membership vote. This year we decided to split the proceeds between two organisations, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and the Disaster Emergency Committee. Read more about these two wonderful organisations in this blog dedicated to the work they carry out.
Christmas Fundraiser 2024
Storm Darragh's coastal rampage and a paralysed rail service due to strikes, were not enough to deter shoppers or the Batala Mersey Christmas spirit., to gather at Liverpool One to perform 3 half hour sets on December 8th.
As we drew the attention of bemused shoppers, we had our VIP party alongside who collected donations in the charity buckets. Our VIPs were band members and their families and we would like to say a huge THANK YOU! to
Jen
Heather
Jeff Tony
John
Santa Paws
For having the hardest job of all in such challenging conditions.
We were also joined by other VIP members Lisa, Maggie and Trey from one of our Welsh bands, Galez, who had braved two storms in one week to drum with us. We were over the moon to see them and very appreciative of their support.
Our Just Giving pages are open until January 1st but so far, totals raised on the day and also online following our promotion of the event are:
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has received £900
Disaster Emergency Committee has received £900
Our Wonderful Causes
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity
The Clatterbridge Centre provides specialist cancer support to people across Merseyside and Cheshire. With 100,000 people living with cancer every year, it is a service that sits at the heart of our community, providing crucial care.
The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity raises funds to enable the 3 Clatterbridge centres in Aintree, Liverpool and Wirral to provide a seamless cancer care service to patients; and deepen their understanding of detecting and treating cancer through ongoing research.
This income helps:
Fund life saving research in innovation and care
Provide the latest medical equipment
Support patients and their families
Enhance the patient environment
Clatterbridge Events
There are numerous opportunities throughout the year to take part in many of their fundraising events. Raising awareness, bringing in vital income and having fun are what makes these opportunities special.
What's on in 2025
2 February Liverpool South 10k
7 February Glow Green Night Walk
9 March Chester Race series
16 March Sky Dive
23 March Liverpool Half Marathon
13 April Mersey Tunnel 10k
26 April Born Survivor
3 May Snowdon Climb
7 June Lake District Challenge
8 June Port Sunlight 5 & 10k
13 June Great North Swim
21 June Climb Ben Nevis
26 July Climb Scafell Pike
2 August Cheshire Inflatable 5k
2 November Delamere Forest trail run
12 April Manchester Marathon
For further details click here
Disaster Emergency Committee
The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of humanitarian crisis overseas.
The 15 Charities are:
Action Against Hunger
Action Aid
Age International
British Red Cross
CAFOD
Care International
Christian Aid
Concern Worldwide
International Rescue Committee
Islamic Relief
Oxfam
Plan International
Save The Children
Tearfund
World Vision
The DEC pools its resources to ensure vital donations from the UK reach international disaster zones without delay, which results in immediate impact.
Since its launch in 1963 it has managed 77 appeals, raising £2.2 billion. These funds are carefully managed and allocated, you can read more about the criteria used here.
Raising Funds
There are 3 main ways to contribute, either donation, fundraising events, or corporate sponsorship, find out more here.
Thank you Liverpool!
Batala Mersey would like to thank all the members of the public who have donated to this fundraiser, both on the day of our performance and since. We are so grateful for your generosity.
Have a wonderful Christmas and fabulous 2025!
Batala Hey!